Improved interior lighting (coverted from regular LEDs to wide-angle SMDs)
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Improved interior lighting (coverted from regular LEDs to wide-angle SMDs)
pics are a little blurry..
SUPPLIES: (You can buy these items from other places in different colors, but they are cheapest on ebay)
*Doors (2), shift indicator (1), hvac (2):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-SMD...Q5fAccessories
*Center Console:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...%3DI%26otn%3D2
*Gauge Cluster:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-194-168-W5W-5...item2c52be97f6
DOORS: I broke off the stock reflectors and mounted the bulb sockets sideways with super glue. The sideways facing SMDs can shine right out the little hole. I tried using a regular led shooting directly out of the hole, but that section of door panel can't be put back on with the socket at that angle, so laying it sideways is an option as you can see:
SHIFT INDICATOR: I converted my stock Camaro indicator to a Firebird one because it would not shine red through very well due to the blue stuff on the bottom. I tried using a regular red led with this Firebird indicator, BUT the 3-SMD seems to light it up much better.
HVAC: My previous regular red single LEDs lit up this Firebird HVAC display nicely, BUT the 3-SMDs are SUPER bright as you can see in contrast to my radio.
CENTER CONSOLE: I got sick of feeling around for things at night, so I put a flexible 15-SMD strip in there facing the console door hinge.
and...
GAUGE CLUSTER: My previous single red SMDs lit my clust up well, BUT there were too many hotspots, so I converted to these 5-SMDs. They look much better than the singles because they distribute the light at a wider angle.
comments or questions welcome
SUPPLIES: (You can buy these items from other places in different colors, but they are cheapest on ebay)
*Doors (2), shift indicator (1), hvac (2):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/3-SMD...Q5fAccessories
*Center Console:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...%3DI%26otn%3D2
*Gauge Cluster:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-194-168-W5W-5...item2c52be97f6
DOORS: I broke off the stock reflectors and mounted the bulb sockets sideways with super glue. The sideways facing SMDs can shine right out the little hole. I tried using a regular led shooting directly out of the hole, but that section of door panel can't be put back on with the socket at that angle, so laying it sideways is an option as you can see:
SHIFT INDICATOR: I converted my stock Camaro indicator to a Firebird one because it would not shine red through very well due to the blue stuff on the bottom. I tried using a regular red led with this Firebird indicator, BUT the 3-SMD seems to light it up much better.
HVAC: My previous regular red single LEDs lit up this Firebird HVAC display nicely, BUT the 3-SMDs are SUPER bright as you can see in contrast to my radio.
CENTER CONSOLE: I got sick of feeling around for things at night, so I put a flexible 15-SMD strip in there facing the console door hinge.
and...
GAUGE CLUSTER: My previous single red SMDs lit my clust up well, BUT there were too many hotspots, so I converted to these 5-SMDs. They look much better than the singles because they distribute the light at a wider angle.
comments or questions welcome
Last edited by Ls1CamaroGuy87; 02-09-2010 at 01:15 AM.
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I put my previous single-SMD bulbs in my rear sidemarkers for the time being and added some 28-SMD bulbs in my tail lamps.
The only thing left for my interior is the MAP and Dome bulbs, which I am planning on converting to white SMDs. I still haven't decided if I want to change the glove box bulb to red or just leave the stock filament...
Last edited by Ls1CamaroGuy87; 02-02-2010 at 11:35 PM.
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lol Will do. The only way the strip is truly noticeable and perhaps somewhat irritating to look at during the day is if you look at it from almost a bird's eye view. From a regular driving view angle it is quite unnoticeable aside from the couple of inches that wrap around the rear, and only sticks out about 1/8 in. Of course the passenger has a good view of it if they are to look over or around the open lid.
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looks good you will enjoy the white ones in the map and dome i have done it to my car and my silverado, i think i would have gone white in the center console though. wonder if you can cut out a groove to set the lights in to sort of recess them a little more without affecting the strength of the center console?
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Also the reason I did not do white in there is because red is easier on the eyes and white would be too bright IMO. They really don't stick out that much guys, look at the ebay link i posted above for the console. Its a smooth black smd strip...not a bunch of leds sticking out
5 of the red ones mentioned above, or any other color that you prefer.